Beware of non-functional cell phone: It may cause death

Habibullah Mizan
Staff Reporter
The New Nation

Bangladesh is likely to face a serious environmental disaster due to the electronic wastes(E-waste) arising out of mishandling millions of non-functional cellular phones across the country .

About thirty two million mobile sets would be discarded or would be non-functional causing at least two thousand and five hundred sixty tones e-waste by the end of 2010, a research paper presented yesterday claimed.

It says, the country will have to see more than 4-kilometer long rally of 5 tones trucks of e-waste each year.

Ahmad Wasimul Haque Bari, former assistant professor, Asian University said this while presenting a research findings on ‘Nonfunctional mobile sets and its bad impacts on environment’ at the National Press Club yesterday.

Referring to the dangerous impact of the e-waste coming from the mobile set, he suggested for immediately setting up adequate recycle plants to ease the situation.

Ahmad Wasimul Haque Bari also chief researcher of the project urged to introduce and implement ‘Take Back and Exchange’ offer by the cell phone importers and network providers so that local subscribers are inspired to involve themselves in the recycle process.

He alleged that no mobile companies or local distributors did not cooperate in conducting the research fearing loss in their business.

While speaking as chief guest, former Dhaka University Pro-vice Chancellor Prof Shahid Uddin Ahmed suggested enacting and implement policies to reuse, recycle mobile phone sets and reduce cell phone related pollution.

He also recommended to ensure phone manual in Bengali language and printing environmental caution note in Bangla with logo on the packaging box.

Shamsun Nahar, Executive Director, Center for Research and Studies emphasised on the need for building massive awareness by airing advertisements and others effective publicities in the country to protect the environment.

She also suggested to extend media role in this regard.

Waste cell phone can cause serious environmental hazards : research



Habibullah Mizan

Staff Reporter

The New Nation



Bangladesh is likely to face a serious environmental disaster due to the electronic wastes(E-waste) arising out of mishandling millions of non-functional cellular phones across the country .



About thirty two million mobile sets would be discarded or would be non-functional causing at least two thousand and five hundred sixty tones e-waste by the end of 2010, a research paper presented yesterday claimed.



It says, the country will have to see more than 4-kilometer long rally of 5 tones trucks of e-waste each year.



Ahmad Wasimul Haque Bari, former assistant professor, Asian University said this while presenting a research findings on ‘Nonfunctional mobile sets and its bad impacts on environment’ at the National Press Club yesterday.



Referring to the dangerous impact of the e-waste coming from the mobile set, he suggested for immediately setting up adequate recycle plants to ease the situation.



Ahmad Wasimul Haque Bari also chief researcher of the project urged to introduce and implement ‘Take Back and Exchange’ offer by the cell phone importers and network providers so that local subscribers are inspired to involve themselves in the recycle process.



He alleged that no mobile companies or local distributors did not cooperate in conducting the research fearing loss in their business.



While speaking as chief guest, former Dhaka University Pro-vice Chancellor Prof Shahid Uddin Ahmed suggested enacting and implement policies to reuse, recycle mobile phone sets and reduce cell phone related pollution.



He also recommended to ensure phone manual in Bengali language and printing environmental caution note in Bangla with logo on the packaging box.



Shamsun Nahar, Executive Director, Center for Research and Studies emphasised on the need for building massive awareness by airing advertisements and others effective publicities in the country to protect the environment.



She also suggested to extend media role in this regard.

Cunning woman cheated her two husbands

Habibullah Mizan,

The New Nation

Staff Reporter



Gulshan Police recently gave charge sheet against a young women and her three family members for keeping dual marriage at a time .



According to the sources, on August 17 this year Nadin Morshid, a highly cunning young lady got married with one Sajid Haque who is a Ph. d student in Columbia State University in New York.



After going to the USA, Sajid came to learn that Nadin Morshid earlier got marriage with one NM Ershaduzzaman on July 2006.



Ndin and his family members kept secrete about the first marriage to go to the USA, sources claimed adding she kept dual marriage as she did not divorced her first husband Ershaduzzaman before getting marriage with Sajid.



Being informed about another marriage and husband of Nadin, Zanibul Haque filled a criminal case against Nadin and his family members with Gulshan Police Station on September 29 this year.



Sub Inspector Khabiruddin , Investigating Officer of the case gave charge sheet against Nadin Murshid, KAM Murshid, Shamim Shovrana Murshid and Navin Murshid on October 22.



While talking to The New Nation SI Khabiruddin said, no accused have been arrested so far though they are trying to their best to arrest the absconding.

Woman with two husbands at a time
Habibullah Mizan,
The New Nation
Staff Reporter

Gulshan Police recently gave charge sheet against a young women and her three family members for keeping dual marriage at a time .

According to the sources, on August 17 this year Nadin Morshid, a highly cunning young lady got married with one Sajid Haque who is a Ph. d student in Columbia State University in New York.

After going to the USA, Sajid came to learn that Nadin Morshid earlier got marriage with one NM Ershaduzzaman on July 2006.

Ndin and his family members kept secrete about the first marriage to go to the USA, sources claimed adding she kept dual marriage as she did not divorced her first husband Ershaduzzaman before getting marriage with Sajid.

Being informed about another marriage and husband of Nadin, Zanibul Haque filled a criminal case against Nadin and his family members with Gulshan Police Station on September 29 this year.

Sub Inspector Khabiruddin , Investigating Officer of the case gave charge sheet against Nadin Murshid, KAM Murshid, Shamim Shovrana Murshid and Navin Murshid on October 22.

While talking to The New Nation SI Khabiruddin said, no accused have been arrested so far though they are trying to their best to arrest the absconding.

Bangladesh falls under dangerous circumstance due to the global climate change
Developed countries must take responsibilities for global climate change
Habibullah Mizan
Staff Reporter, The New Nation

Expressing grave concern over the climate change former adviser to the caretaker government Dr Akbar Ali Khan urged all concerned to combat against the global warning to save the next generation from certain destruction.

Holding the developed countries main responsible for the increasing global climate changes, he observed that these countries must take responsibilities for it.
‘‘Since the concept of security has been changed in the present global context, environment and economic securities are very important’’ he said, adding poverty reduction across the globe is a must to face the challenges of the climate change.

They were speaking at a seminar on ‘Role of United Nation in Global Climate Change’ organised by Lions Club of Dhaka Central in the city yesterday marking UN Day.

Presided over by Lion Mohammad Alamgir Haque, president, Lions Club of Dhaka Central, Lion PK Roy, district governor, Lion District 315B-Bangladesh, Lion Kazi Akram Hossain, former Council Chairperson and International Director( Endorsee), Dr Atique Rahman, Executive Director, Bangladesh Centre for Advance Studies, Abdur Rob Khan, Research Director , Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies, Dr Mizan R Khan, Chairman , Department of Environment Science and Management, North South University, Lion Eng M Shajahan Kadem, Chairman , UN Day Observance Committee 2007 and Lion Abu Daraj Bhuyian, Secretary , Lions Club of Dhaka Central, among others, addressed the seminar.
Mosud Mannan, Director General , Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the keynote paper .

Eminent Scientist Dr Atique Rahman also member of Inter-Governmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC), which won Nobel Peace Prize this year, warned about the deadly impacts of the global climate change in the country.

According to the IPCC expert , the productivity of country’s lands will be significantly decreased due to the green house affects.

Duration of flood would be also increased as the sea level is rising day by day, Atique said.
At least 200 million people will be displaced and the bio-diversity , ecosystem would fall under dangerous circumstance , he alarmed.

He suggested the government to take multi-dimensional policy to decrease the bad effects of the global climate change.

Developed countries must take responsibilities for global climate change

Habibullah Mizan

Staff Reporter, The New Nation



Expressing grave concern over the climate change former adviser to the caretaker government Dr Akbar Ali Khan urged all concerned to combat against the global warning to save the next generation from certain destruction.



Holding the developed countries main responsible for the increasing global climate changes, he observed that these countries must take responsibilities for it.

‘‘Since the concept of security has been changed in the present global context, environment and economic securities are very important’’ he said, adding poverty reduction across the globe is a must to face the challenges of the climate change.



They were speaking at a seminar on ‘Role of United Nation in Global Climate Change’ organised by Lions Club of Dhaka Central in the city yesterday marking UN Day.



Presided over by Lion Mohammad Alamgir Haque, president, Lions Club of Dhaka Central, Lion PK Roy, district governor, Lion District 315B-Bangladesh, Lion Kazi Akram Hossain, former Council Chairperson and International Director( Endorsee), Dr Atique Rahman, Executive Director, Bangladesh Centre for Advance Studies, Abdur Rob Khan, Research Director , Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies, Dr Mizan R Khan, Chairman , Department of Environment Science and Management, North South University, Lion Eng M Shajahan Kadem, Chairman , UN Day Observance Committee 2007 and Lion Abu Daraj Bhuyian, Secretary , Lions Club of Dhaka Central, among others, addressed the seminar.

Mosud Mannan, Director General , Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the keynote paper .



Eminent Scientist Dr Atique Rahman also member of Inter-Governmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC), which won Nobel Peace Prize this year, warned about the deadly impacts of the global climate change in the country.



According to the IPCC expert , the productivity of country’s lands will be significantly decreased due to the green house affects.



Duration of flood would be also increased as the sea level is rising day by day, Atique said.

At least 200 million people will be displaced and the bio-diversity , ecosystem would fall under dangerous circumstance , he alarmed.



He suggested the government to take multi-dimensional policy to decrease the bad effects of the global climate change.

Habibullah Mizan
Staff Reporter
The New Nation

Government yesterday decided to set up a Defense University in the country for providing higher education to the members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces.

Secretary Committee for Development Affairs in a meeting held at the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat okayed the decision in principle.

Presided over by Ali Imam Mujomdar, Cabinet Secretary, Mamtazul Islam, Education Secretary, Abdur Rashid Sarker, Textile and Jute Secretary, Abdul Aziz NDC, Agriculture Secretary and Zafar Ahmed Chowdhury, Planning Secretary were present at the high level meeting.

Sources said the proposed Defense University will be a milestone in the development of country’s defence sector.

Habibullah Mizan

Staff Reporter

The New Nation



Government yesterday decided to set up a Defense University in the country for providing higher education to the members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces.



Secretary Committee for Development Affairs in a meeting held at the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat okayed the decision in principle.



Presided over by Ali Imam Mujomdar, Cabinet Secretary, Mamtazul Islam, Education Secretary, Abdur Rashid Sarker, Textile and Jute Secretary, Abdul Aziz NDC, Agriculture Secretary and Zafar Ahmed Chowdhury, Planning Secretary were present at the high level meeting.



Sources said the proposed Defense University will be a milestone in the development of country’s defence sector.

Myanmar's ruling junta lashed out at Western powers and foreign media on Thursday, accusing them of fomenting large protests that were ended by a brutal crackdown.



The state-owned New Light of Myanmar newspaper described protesters, who continue to be hunted by the military across the country, as "stooges of foreign countries putting on a play written by their foreign masters."



In what has become a daily staple of the government press, the newspaper said some 30,000 pro-junta demonstrators gathered in the remote Chin state on Wednesday to support the regime's national convention and forthcoming constitution, which critics say is a sham.



It also singled out "big powers" and radio stations — the British Broadcasting Corp., Voice of America and Radio Free Asia — as being behind the demonstrations.



Troops crushed the protests by shooting at demonstrators on Sept. 26-27. The regime said 10 people were killed, but dissident groups put the toll at up to 200 and say thousands of students, Buddhist monks and others were arrested. The crackdown ignited international outrage.



The ruling council's top leader, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, offered to meet Suu Kyi following a visit early this month by U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari. And both Suu Kyi's political party and the military have taken some conciliatory steps.



But no mention of talks was made Wednesday while the official press stressed the regime was bent on following its own timetable to a so-called "roadmap to democracy," which includes a draft constitution and referendum to be followed by elections at an unspecified date.



Critics describe such a scenario as a sham to hoodwink world opinion and silence domestic opposition.



The top U.S. diplomat in Yangon said the international attention being showered on Myanmar will pressure its rulers to open the country and reconcile with pro-democracy advocates.



"That the international community is paying more attention is hopeful," said Shari Villarosa. "Hopefully this will help mobilize pressure not only from the United States but from all the countries in the region."



She told reporters in Hawaii that nations needed to "push it and push it and push it some more."



Meanwhile, reports from Myanmar indicate the crackdown on dissidents is continuing underneath a seemingly calm surface.



A Thailand-based exile group said a Myanmar opposition party member died during interrogation and two activists were arrested.



The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners also said Wednesday that security officers had been threatening dissidents' relatives and neighbors attempting to find those involved in last month's pro-democracy protests.



The opposition member's alleged death drew a harsh reaction from the U.S., which called for an investigation and threatened further sanctions against the impoverished country unless the junta halts violence toward dissidents.

Myanmar junta lashes out at West

Myanmar's ruling junta lashed out at Western powers and foreign media on Thursday, accusing them of fomenting large protests that were ended by a brutal crackdown.

The state-owned New Light of Myanmar newspaper described protesters, who continue to be hunted by the military across the country, as "stooges of foreign countries putting on a play written by their foreign masters."

In what has become a daily staple of the government press, the newspaper said some 30,000 pro-junta demonstrators gathered in the remote Chin state on Wednesday to support the regime's national convention and forthcoming constitution, which critics say is a sham.

It also singled out "big powers" and radio stations — the British Broadcasting Corp., Voice of America and Radio Free Asia — as being behind the demonstrations.

Troops crushed the protests by shooting at demonstrators on Sept. 26-27. The regime said 10 people were killed, but dissident groups put the toll at up to 200 and say thousands of students, Buddhist monks and others were arrested. The crackdown ignited international outrage.

The ruling council's top leader, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, offered to meet Suu Kyi following a visit early this month by U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari. And both Suu Kyi's political party and the military have taken some conciliatory steps.

But no mention of talks was made Wednesday while the official press stressed the regime was bent on following its own timetable to a so-called "roadmap to democracy," which includes a draft constitution and referendum to be followed by elections at an unspecified date.

Critics describe such a scenario as a sham to hoodwink world opinion and silence domestic opposition.

The top U.S. diplomat in Yangon said the international attention being showered on Myanmar will pressure its rulers to open the country and reconcile with pro-democracy advocates.

"That the international community is paying more attention is hopeful," said Shari Villarosa. "Hopefully this will help mobilize pressure not only from the United States but from all the countries in the region."

She told reporters in Hawaii that nations needed to "push it and push it and push it some more."

Meanwhile, reports from Myanmar indicate the crackdown on dissidents is continuing underneath a seemingly calm surface.

A Thailand-based exile group said a Myanmar opposition party member died during interrogation and two activists were arrested.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners also said Wednesday that security officers had been threatening dissidents' relatives and neighbors attempting to find those involved in last month's pro-democracy protests.

The opposition member's alleged death drew a harsh reaction from the U.S., which called for an investigation and threatened further sanctions against the impoverished country unless the junta halts violence toward dissidents.

YANGON, Myanmar - A leader of Myanmar's recent mass protests was arrested Wednesday, and a member of the opposition party has died during interrogation by security forces, an exile group said.

The Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners also said security officers had been threatening dissidents' relatives and neighbors in order to get information on the whereabouts of those involved in last month's pro-democracy protests that were brutally suppressed by the military regime.

"The security forces have become more severe in raiding houses of, and searching for, anyone whom they suspect to have been involved in the protests," it said.

The Myanmar exile group, made up of former political prisoners, said authorities had recently informed the family of Win Shwe, 42, that he had died during interrogation in the central Myanmar region of Sagaing. He and five colleagues were arrested on Sept. 26.

The body of Win Shwe, a member of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, was cremated at the detention center, the group said. The report could not be independently verified, although in the past the group has provided detailed, accurate information on political prisoners in the country.

White House foreign affairs spokesman Gordon Johndroe condemned Win Shwe's death and warned that the United States would impose new sanctions against Myanmar, also known as Burma, if it continued its crackdown on dissidents.

"The United States strongly condemns the atrocities committed by the junta and calls for a full investigation into the death of Win Shwe during his detention in Burma," Johndroe said. "The junta must stop the brutal treatment of its people and peacefully transition to democracy or face new sanctions from the United States."

First lady Laura Bush, who has been an outspoken advocate for human rights in Myanmar, also warned the U.S. was considering sanctions unless the government loosens its grip on the populace.

"The crackdown has been brutal," she said in an interview with USA Today published Tuesday.

The National League for Democracy won a landslide election victory in 1990, but the parliament was never allowed to convene by the military junta.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said that at least seven people have been arrested in the past two days in Yangon, even as the junta and the NLD appeared to be taking cautious steps toward talks.

Hla Myo Naung, a leader of the '88 Generation Students, was arrested in Yangon while seeking treatment for a serious eye problem at a clinic, the exile group said. Hla Myo Naung, 39, had been on the regime's "wanted list" but had evaded arrest for two months. A young woman who belongs to the '88 Generation and had been with him was also arrested.

The '88 Generation organized marches in August over a fuel price increases that quickly ballooned into mass demonstrations calling for democracy when widely respected Buddhist monks began taking the lead.

Troops crushed the protests by shooting at demonstrators Sept. 26-27. The regime said 10 people were killed, but dissident groups put the toll at up to 200 and say thousands of students, Buddhist monks and others were arrested.

The brutal crackdown ignited international outrage.

In the face of such pressure, the junta's top general offered last week to meet with Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace laureate who has been under house arrest for 12 of the past 18 years without trial. He said she must first renounce her calls for international sanctions against the regime, which has been widely condemned for crushing last month's protests.

The junta also appointed a relatively flexible Cabinet-level official to coordinate contacts with Suu Kyi, 62, whose league said it was prepared to make "adjustments" for the sake of dialogue.

The appointment of Aung Kyi, a retired major general, appeared to be a gesture toward the United Nations. The world body's special envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, suggested creating the Cabinet-level job during his visit to Myanmar last week, state media said.

Small groups of riot police Wednesday patrolled key road junctions and sites where the most intense protests had erupted, including the Shwedagon Pagoda and a junction near the downtown Sule Pagoda. But soldiers were not visible on the streets, and Yangon seemed generally normal.

The state-owned New Light of Myanmar newspaper said 60,000 pro-government demonstrators had gathered Tuesday in Paan in eastern Myanmar to support the junta's own "roadmap to democracy" while denouncing the United States and foreign radio stations. Such rallies are reported by Myanmar opposition media in exile to be stage-managed by the junta, with people pressured to attend.

(This version CORRECTS year of election to 1990, not 1989.)

Gona Forum President Dr Kamal yesterday reiterated his negative tone about Prof Dr Baduddoza Chowdhury’s recent call for consensus government for ten years (two constitute terms).

Indicating the call of former president for a greater unity, Dr Kamal stressed on the need for ‘people to people’ unity instead of party unity for a corruption and prosperous Bangladesh.

He alleged that all the elected governments in the past did not do any good for the general people of the country.

He was speaking at a Iftar party in the city yesterday.

Some people in the name of partisan politics destroyed the great possibilities of the nation by working only for earning huge illegal money and obtaining unfair power, Gona Forum chief stated.

‘‘We must work for ensuring a healthy environment for production and education of our children avoiding the destructive politics of the past’’, veteran jurist said.

Many unfit persons were unfortunately appointed in the different organs of the state only because of the nasty party politics and this must be stopped, Kamal observed.

This is the proper time for people empowerment he said, adding ‘‘ Without these, how real democracy would be freed.’’

Presided over by Dr Abu Taher, Dhaka City Gona Forum President Mostafa Mohsin Montu, among others, addressed the meeting.

Tipaimukh Dam: A Death Penalty for Bangladesh

Speakers at a discussion in the city protested the continuous Indian attempts to construct Tipaimukh Dam across the Bangladesh border and urged all to be united in resisting the attempt.

It must be stopped for the good of the millions of people of both Bangladesh and India.

Terming it a ‘deadly trap’ they claimed it would be another Farrakha Dam for Bangladesh.

They were speaking at an unveiling ceremony of two books titled, ‘No to Tipaimukh Dam’ and ‘Bitarkita Tipaimukh Badh : Samogrik Nirekkha’ organised by Angikar Bangladesh at National Press Club yesterday.

“ The Indian government plans to is build Tipaimukh dam at a cost of more than 6,000 crore rupees by the end of 2011,” they alleged and added it would harm millions of people.

They said the construction of this dam is like awarding Bangladesh ‘death penalty.’

Former Finance Adviser Abul Mal Abdul Mohit urged all to convince the Indian authority to withdraw their plan for making the dam.
He said it is our responsibility to save our country by resisting the construction of the Tipaimukh Dam.

Prof Nazrul Islam, Chairman, University Grant Commission said, “Scientists must find out an alternative source for power generation without building the dam.

He said the effects of the Tipaimukh dam both in Bangladesh and India would be dangerous in the long term.

Prof ABM Faruqe of Pharmaceutical Technology Department of Dhaka University said, ”Like the Bangladeshi people, people in the West Bengal will have to cry if the dam is finally built.”

Farah Kabir, Country Director Action Aid said development should be by the people, of the people and for the people.

But regarding this project, Indian authority did not consult with all stakeholders.

Dr MA Matin, General Secretary, Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon said, “This movement is a pro-Bangladeshi movement and not oppose any country in particular.”
Muhammmad Hilal Uddin, Chief Director, Angikar Bangladesh presented key-note paper on the Tipaimukh Dam while M Anwar Hossain , writer of the two books alleged that the Indian authority is completely violating the international laws by constructing Tipaimukh Dam.

Tipaimukh Dam: A Death Penalty for Bangladesh



Speakers at a discussion in the city protested the continuous Indian attempts to construct Tipaimukh Dam across the Bangladesh border and urged all to be united in resisting the attempt.



It must be stopped for the good of the millions of people of both Bangladesh and India.



Terming it a ‘deadly trap’ they claimed it would be another Farrakha Dam for Bangladesh.



They were speaking at an unveiling ceremony of two books titled, ‘No to Tipaimukh Dam’ and ‘Bitarkita Tipaimukh Badh : Samogrik Nirekkha’ organised by Angikar Bangladesh at National Press Club yesterday.



“ The Indian government plans to is build Tipaimukh dam at a cost of more than 6,000 crore rupees by the end of 2011,” they alleged and added it would harm millions of people.



They said the construction of this dam is like awarding Bangladesh ‘death penalty.’



Former Finance Adviser Abul Mal Abdul Mohit urged all to convince the Indian authority to withdraw their plan for making the dam.

He said it is our responsibility to save our country by resisting the construction of the Tipaimukh Dam.



Prof Nazrul Islam, Chairman, University Grant Commission said, “Scientists must find out an alternative source for power generation without building the dam.



He said the effects of the Tipaimukh dam both in Bangladesh and India would be dangerous in the long term.



Prof ABM Faruqe of Pharmaceutical Technology Department of Dhaka University said, ”Like the Bangladeshi people, people in the West Bengal will have to cry if the dam is finally built.”



Farah Kabir, Country Director Action Aid said development should be by the people, of the people and for the people.



But regarding this project, Indian authority did not consult with all stakeholders.



Dr MA Matin, General Secretary, Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon said, “This movement is a pro-Bangladeshi movement and not oppose any country in particular.”

Muhammmad Hilal Uddin, Chief Director, Angikar Bangladesh presented key-note paper on the Tipaimukh Dam while M Anwar Hossain , writer of the two books alleged that the Indian authority is completely violating the international laws by constructing Tipaimukh Dam.

Government surrenders to corrupts businessmen: Communist leaders alleged

Terming late comrade Farhad a twenty four hours communist Bangladesh Communists Party President Manjurul Ahshan Khan said, to stop criminalization of politics, there is not alternative to emerging leftist alternative forces in the country.


CPB president was speaking at a memorial meeting to mark the 20th death anniversary of eminent communist leader and parliamentarian comrade Mohammad Farhad , who was also then CPB general secretary.

Accusing the present caretaker government of ‘surrendering’ to the corrupts businessmen, Manjurul Ahshan Khan said, they are trying to omit some corruptions by the so-called Truth Commission.

Refereeing to the no arrests of communists leaders on charge of corruption yet, CPB General Secretary Mojhadul Islam Salim made bourgeois politics responsible for all corruption and urged to follow the ideals of late comrade to make Bangladesh a corruption state.

Criticizing the so-called reforms initiatives centering some personals he said, without reforming the whole political systems no effective changes would be happened at all.

Stating many memories of late comrade Farhad his wife Rina Khanam urged all to work for realization of his dreams of a class-less society .

Rina suggested the CPB leaders and others well-wishers to make the Weekly Ekotha as a daily according to the dream of his husband.

Workers Party General Secretary Bimal Biswas, Gono Azadi League President Abdus Samad, freedom fighter commander Abdur Rouf, CPB leader Jali Talukdar and Abdul Kader, among others , addressed the meeting.

Stop degradation of education system now
Habibullah Mizan
Staff Reporter,
The New Nation
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Criticising the commercialisation of county’s education systems, former Adviser to the caretaker government Dr Akbar Ali Khan alleged that the ill –practice has been degrading the education sector day by day.

Comparing ‘sales of knowledge’ with selling one’s physical beauty for money, he urged the teachers to restrain themselves from doing this unethical act.

He said,‘‘ If we can ensure proper awards to the honest persons for their honesty and punish the dishonest persons for their dishonesty, good governance and rule of law in the country can be easily established.’’


He was speaking at a discussion meeting jointly organised by UNESCO and Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO in the city yesterday marking the International Teachers Day.

According to Dr Akbar Ali, without eradicating the increasing discriminations between the rural and urban education, quality education could not be ensured in the country.

Referring to the teacher’s financial condition, he added that some teachers are living under extreme poverty while some others are earning more than one lakh per month from private coaching or any other means.

He opined that bad people are driving the good people out, which is a major obstacle to the establishment of the rule of law in the society.

Stressing the need for quality education, he suggested introducing evaluation system for the teachers.

He said, in the present knowledge based society, teachers must admit that they would also learn from their students as knowledge is a continuous process.
Terming increasing centralisation of the education system the major problem for our education sector, he suggested for the rapid decentralisation for quality education.

Presided over by Ashraful Mokbul, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Education, Malama Meleisea, Direcror UNSECO Dhaka Office, eminent educationalist Prof Abu Syed, Dr Md Mahmudul Hasan, Prof Md Nazim Uddin, AKM Abdul Awal Mujumder, Prof Hasan Wise and some students, also participated at the discussion.